scholarly journals Biomass Conversion Technologies for Bioenergy Generation: An Introduction

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdurrahman Garba
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Biomass Conversion ◽  
Waste Products ◽  
Wood Processing ◽  
Bioenergy Generation ◽  
Fuels And Chemicals ◽  
Flexible Load ◽  
Conversion Technologies

Over the last century, there has been increasing debate concerning the use of biomass for different purposes such as foods, feeds, energy fuels, heating, cooling and most importantly biorefinery feedstock. The biorefinery products were aimed to replace fossil fuels and chemicals as they are renewable form of energy. Biomass is a biodegradable product from agricultural wastes and residues, forestry and aquaculture. Biomass could be sourced from a variety of raw materials such as wood and wood processing by-products, manure, fractions of organic waste products and agricultural crops. As a form of renewable energy, they have the advantages of easy storage, transportation, flexible load utilization and versatile applications. The aim of this study is to provide an overview for thermochemical and biochemical biomass conversion technologies that were employed currently. Attention was also paid to manufacture of biofuels because of their potentials as key market for large-scale green sustainable biomass product.

scholarly journals Genetic and metabolic engineering challenges of C1-gas fermenting acetogenic chassis organisms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Bourgade ◽  
Nigel P Minton ◽  
M Ahsanul Islam
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Engineering ◽  
Sole Carbon Source ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Strain Engineering ◽  
Genetic Tools ◽  
Environmental Consequences ◽  
Metabolic Fluxes ◽  
Petroleum Resources ◽  
Fuels And Chemicals

ABSTRACT Unabated mining and utilisation of petroleum and petroleum resources and their conversion to essential fuels and chemicals have drastic environmental consequences, contributing to global warming and climate change. In addition, fossil fuels are finite resources, with a fast-approaching shortage. Accordingly, research efforts are increasingly focusing on developing sustainable alternatives for chemicals and fuels production. In this context, bioprocesses, relying on microorganisms, have gained particular interest. For example, acetogens use the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway to grow on single carbon C1-gases (CO2 and CO) as their sole carbon source and produce valuable products such as acetate or ethanol. These autotrophs can, therefore, be exploited for large-scale fermentation processes to produce industrially relevant chemicals from abundant greenhouse gases. In addition, genetic tools have recently been developed to improve these chassis organisms through synthetic biology approaches. This review will focus on the challenges of genetically and metabolically modifying acetogens. It will first discuss the physical and biochemical obstacles complicating successful DNA transfer in these organisms. Current genetic tools developed for several acetogens, crucial for strain engineering to consolidate and expand their catalogue of products, will then be described. Recent tool applications for metabolic engineering purposes to allow redirection of metabolic fluxes or production of non-native compounds will lastly be covered.

Key drivers influencing the commercialization of ethanol-based biorefineries

1969 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anuj K Chandel ◽  
Om V Singh ◽  
Gajula Chandrasekhar ◽  
Linga Venkateswar Rao ◽  
Mangamoori Lakshmi Narasu
Keyword(s):  
Ethanol Production ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Process Integration ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Cellulase Production ◽  
Bioethanol Production ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Key Drivers ◽  
The Cost

The imposition of ethanol derived from biomass for blending in gasoline would make countries less dependent on current petroleum sources, which would save foreign exchange reserves, improve rural economies and provide job opportunities in a clean and safe environment. The key drivers for successful commercial ethanol production are cheap raw materials, economic pretreatment technologies, in-house cellulase production with high and efficient titers, high ethanol fermentation rates, downstream recovery of ethanol and maximum by-products utilization. Furthermore, recent developments in engineering of biomass for increased biomass, down-regulation of lignin synthesis, improved cellulase titers and re-engineering of cellulases, and process integration of the steps involved have increased the possibility of cheap bioethanol production that competes with the price of petroleum. Recently, many companies have come forward globally for bioethanol production on a large scale. It is very clear now that bioethanol will be available at the price of fossil fuels by 2010. This article intends to provide insight and perspectives on the important recent developments in bioethanol research, the commercialization status of bioethanol production, the step-wise cost incurred in the process involved, and the possible innovations that can be utilized to reduce the cost of ethanol production.

scholarly journals Biomass Feedstocks for Liquid Biofuels Production in Hawaii & Tropical Islands: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-132
Author(s):  
Muhammad Usman ◽  
Shuo Cheng ◽  
Jeffrey Scott Cross
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Biomass Conversion ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Tropical Islands ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Biomass Feedstocks ◽  
Energy Demands ◽  
Conversion Technologies

Many tropical islands, including Aruba, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Pacific Island countries, are entirely dependent on importing fossil fuels to meet their energy demands. Due to global warming, improving energy use efficiency and developing regionally available renewable energy resources are necessary to reduce carbon emissions. This review analyzed and identified biomass feedstocks to produce liquid biofuels targeting tropical islands, particularly focusing on Hawaii as a case study. Transportation and energy generation sectors consume 25.5% and 11.6%, respectively, of Hawaii's imported fossil fuels. Various nonedible feedstocks with information on their availability, production, and average yields of oils, fiber, sugars, and lipid content for liquid biofuels production are identified to add value to the total energy mix. The available biomass conversion technologies and production costs are summarized. In addition, a section on potentially using sewage sludge to produce biodiesel is also included. Based on a comparative analysis of kamani, croton, pongamia, jatropha, energycane, Leucaena hybrid, gliricidia, and eucalyptus feedstock resources, this study proposes that Hawaii and other similar tropical regions can potentially benefit from growing and producing economical liquid biofuels locally, especially for the transportation and electricity generation sectors

Beautiful renewable energy

Impact ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 (10) ◽  
pp. 39-41
Author(s):  
Hinako Kawakami ◽  
Yasumitsu Matsuo
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Waste Products ◽  
Sustainable Resources ◽  
Green Architecture ◽  
Working Together

As the world's consumption of non-renewable fuels continues to grow, so do the associated problems. Coal, gas and nuclear are all on the rise with each presenting significant environmental problems. The fossil fuels contribute to global warming through CO2 emissions as well as polluting the environment through particulates and waste products. Nuclear energy, whilst cleaner, still produces significant and long-term dangerous waste products. In addition, the raw materials are finite and will be exhausted sometime this century. The battle to develop effective clean alternatives is one of the key fights that will come to define the 21st century. The process will require considerable innovation and greater effort by business and state to improve the situation. Many researchers are working towards a myriad of different solutions that, together, could form the basis for re-gearing the global economy towards the use of renewable and sustainable resources and fuels. One such alternative is the fuel cell and variations of this. A fuel cell harnesses the energy released when hydrogen combines with oxygen to form water to produce electricity. Its inputs are cheap and readily available whilst its outputs are completely clean. In order to effectively assimilate new technologies such as these, it is necessary to consider how this technology can be applied and integrated into modern life. Doing so will allow new technologies to be adopted and employed far quicker after development. Two researchers from Setsunan University, Japan are working together to make cheap and renewable fuel cells that can be integrated directly into new, green architecture.

scholarly journals Biomass Feedstocks for Liquid Biofuels Production in Hawaii & Tropical Islands: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-132
Author(s):  
Muhammad Usman ◽  
Shuo Cheng ◽  
Jeffrey Scott Cross
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Biomass Conversion ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Tropical Islands ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Biomass Feedstocks ◽  
Energy Demands ◽  
Conversion Technologies

Many tropical islands, including Aruba, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Pacific Island countries, are entirely dependent on importing fossil fuels to meet their energy demands. Due to global warming, improving energy use efficiency and developing regionally available renewable energy resources are necessary to reduce carbon emissions. This review analyzed and identified biomass feedstocks to produce liquid biofuels targeting tropical islands, particularly focusing on Hawaii as a case study. Transportation and energy generation sectors consume 25.5% and 11.6%, respectively, of Hawaii's imported fossil fuels. Various nonedible feedstocks with information on their availability, production, and average yields of oils, fiber, sugars, and lipid content for liquid biofuels production are identified to add value to the total energy mix. The available biomass conversion technologies and production costs are summarized. In addition, a section on potentially using sewage sludge to produce biodiesel is also included. Based on a comparative analysis of kamani, croton, pongamia, jatropha, energycane, Leucaena hybrid, gliricidia, and eucalyptus feedstock resources, this study proposes that Hawaii and other similar tropical regions can potentially benefit from growing and producing economical liquid biofuels locally, especially for the transportation and electricity generation sectors

scholarly journals Simulation Analysis of the Pyrolysis Process for the Production of Syngas from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch and Fiber

2021 ◽  
Vol 927 (1) ◽  
pp. 012033
Author(s):  
Taufiq Bin Nur ◽  
Justin Kongnardi
Keyword(s):  
Oil Palm ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Simulation Analysis ◽  
Combustion Engine ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Biomass Conversion ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Condensation Process ◽  
Pyrolysis Process

Abstract There have been many efforts to reduce the use of fossil fuels and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by using renewable energy (solar energy, wind energy, water energy, and energy obtained from biomass) as a substitute for fossil fuels. As one of the largest CPO producers globally, Indonesia produces 4 kilograms of dry biomass for every 1 kilogram of oil palm produced. The biomass conversion process into synthetic gas (syngas) can be carried out using the pyrolysis process. The syngas can be used as an alternative fuel for an internal combustion engine. This study aims to simulate the pyrolysis process to obtain syngas’ characteristics made from oil palm empty bunches (EFBs) and palm fiber. Around 4 kg EFB and 2 kg of fiber are used as pyrolysis raw materials. The Aspen Plus simulation was used to design and analyzed the pyrolysis flow processes. The results showed that the hot syngas produced at a working temperature of 450°C to 650°C was 1.475 kg/hr to 1.587 kg/hr. The cold syngas produced is 0.969 kg/hr to 1.407 kg/hr. The heating value of hot syngas is 10,348 kJ/kg to 14,213.55 kJ/kg, and cold syngas is 15,751.51 kJ/kg to 16,022.7 kJ/kg. Change in syngas composition between hot and cold syngas is due to the condensation process. The minimum condenser area required to produce cold syngas for 6 kg and 500 kg biomass pyrolysis raw material are 25.5 m2 and 632.2 m2, respectively.

scholarly journals Topical issues of providing raw materials to woodworking industry enterprises in Ukraine

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 12-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Guzhva ◽  
Yevhen Ivanov
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Economic Modeling ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Deep Processing ◽  
Wood Processing ◽  
Timber Products ◽  
Timber Market

Introduction. Woodworking industry splits into two main sectors – primary and deep processing of wood, which fundamentally differ from each other. While primary wood processing requires common timber assortments (usually coniferous) production of deep processing products – plywood, particleboards and fiberboards – needs valuable and scarce assortments of hardwood like alder or birch. Problems with access to valuable raw materials remain one of the key factors in the development of the Ukrainian woodworking industry for many years. Aim and tasks. The aim of the article is to identify main shortcomings of Ukrainian timber market that create the biggest obstacles for domestic deep wood processing business; and to propose legal and regulatory mechanisms for ensuring stable and priority access of woodworking enterprises to quality timber products. Research results. Woodworking industry development is constrained with smuggling of valuable hardwood assortments (birch and alder), which serve as raw material for the manufacture of veneer, plywood, fiberboard; as well as with large-scale exports of wood particles to Turkey. In addition, abolished State Forestry Agency’s Order #42 that obliged to distribute scarce hardwood assortments only among those businesses that have appropriate facilities for its rational consumption. This greatly enhanced risks to misuse rare wood varieties for the needs that can be met by consumption of less-quality or more widespread assortments. The results of economic modeling show that strengthening the negative tendencies with the access of domestic woodworking manufacturers to plywood raw materials will have a negative impact on all related industries, employment and the economy as a whole; Ukraine will increase raw material exports and imports of finished furniture and paper products produced from exported raw materials. Conclusions. In order to avoid a negative scenario in the deep wood processing industry, it is necessary to adopt the Law on the Timber Market built upon the principle of targeting access to technical and plywood raw materials. It’s also necessary to enact and guarantee the practical implementation on preserving Ukrainian forests and preventing the illegal export of unprocessed wood.

Biomass conversion to fuels and value-added chemicals: A comprehensive review of the thermochemical processes

2019 ◽  
Vol 03 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erasmus Muh ◽  
Fouzi Tabet ◽  
Sofiane Amara
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Chemical Compositions ◽  
Biomass Feedstock ◽  
Chemical Production ◽  
Biomass Processing ◽  
Thermochemical Processing ◽  
Fuels And Chemicals ◽  
Conversion Technologies

Aims: This paper reviews extensively the thermochemical processing of biomass to fuels and high-value chemicals, with more emphasis on the process performance, conditions, and weaknesses. The important chemical compositions of biomass feedstock, their conversion technologies and most importantly, the role of catalysis in their conversion to fuels, fuel additives, based chemicals, and added-value chemicals are also discussed. Background: Fossil fuels have fueled the world economy for decades. However, given their unlimited nature, fluctuating prices and the escalating environmental concerns, there is the urgent need to develop and valorize cheaper, cleaner and sustainable alternative energy sources to curb these challenges. Biomass represents a valid alternative to fossil fuels, especially for fuel and chemical production as it represents the only natural organic renewable resource with vast abundance. A vast array of conversion technologies is used to process biomass from one form to another, to release energy, high-value products or chemical intermediates. Objective: To extensively review the thermochemical processing of biomass to fuels and high-value chemicals, and to discuss important chemical compositions of biomass feedstock, their conversion technologies and most importantly, the role of catalysis in their conversion to fuels, fuel additives, based chemicals, and added-value chemicals. Method: Extensive review and analysis of prominent scientific papers in bioenergy Result: Biomass has a huge potential for climate change mitigations and almost all fossil-derived fuels and chemicals are obtainable from biomass using appropriate processing techniques Conclusion: There is a huge prospect for fuel and chemical production from biomass, as it is a very rich source of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels and high-value chemicals or high-density energy and chemical precursors. Other: Biomass processing to fuels and chemicals has promising future prospects for sustainable large-scale biomass processing, especially in the modern biorefinery.

scholarly journals Resource conservation as a condition for preserving non-renewable natural capital

2020 ◽  
Vol 177 ◽  
pp. 05021
Author(s):  
Vladimir Strovsky ◽  
Oksana Logvinenko ◽  
Irina Moor ◽  
Natalia Pustokhina
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Economic Incentive ◽  
Resource Conservation ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Waste Products

The article overviews the problem of slowing down the rates of natural non-renewable sources depletion in the process of resources development. The goal of the presented research is to justify the implementation of the most appropriate method of carrying out a complete resource development process by incorporating the mining and raw material extraction facilities available in the country. The study provides scientific evidence of a large-scale harmful impact caused by the raw materials development to all the elements of the biosphere and their interdependence. The presented research also demonstrates that solving the problem of resource-conservation is a first-hand priority due to the fact that there is in a close interconnection between the levels of environmental pollution and the levels of natural resources extraction. The solution to the problem of natural resources conservation is based on the concept of implementing environmentally clean technology (ECT); this technology gives an opportunity for developing a concept of the best available technology (BAT) and the concept of a closed-loop supply, the latter of which has become widely-used as a form of circular economy. The authors of the article have also suggested a systematic range of techniques aimed at extracting following resources in full capacity: commercial resources, non¬commercial resources, overburden rocks and man-made mineral formations. The authors of the article suggest the necessity for enlarging the scope of available mineral resources by ensuring governmental support and developing small deposits, first and foremost focusing on the territories with a developed infrastructure and which had previously been developed. The ideas presented in the article express and support the necessity for prospective implementation of the mining factories waste products as a reserve for mineral and raw materials resources; as well as the necessity for increasing their production rates from the circular economy perspective. Some measures which would help to accelerate this process are: improving the legislative system, developing mechanisms for economic incentive and providing various forms of state-business co¬operation.

scholarly journals Integrating Biomass Conversion Technologies with Recovery Operations In-Woods: Modeling Supply Chain

Logistics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Steven Paulson ◽  
Anil Raj Kizha ◽  
Han-Sup Han
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Travel Time ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Biomass Conversion ◽  
Annual Number ◽  
Travel Times ◽  
Location Allocation ◽  
Forest Residue ◽  
Intermediate Storage ◽  
Conversion Technologies

Economic potential of feedstock generated low-valued forest residue can be enhanced by emerging biomass conversion technologies (BCT), such as torrefaction, briquetting, and gasification. However, for implementing these emerging processes within the woods, several hurdles are to be overcome, among which a balanced supply chain is pivotal. Centralized biomass recovery operation (CBRO) could be an economically viable solution in accessing harvesting sites and allows integration of BCT into forest management. The goal of this study was to examine the logistic effects of integrating a BCT into a CBRO, under different in-wood scenarios based on variations in travel time between the facility locations, amount of raw materials handled, intermediate storage capacity, and duration (number of days) of annual operations. Specific objectives included analyzing the effects of forest residue recoverability (BDMT, bone dry metric ton/ha), total transportation time from the harvest unit to the market, and the annual number of in-woods production sites on the overall efficiency of the BCT operations. Concurrently, this study examined the forest managerial impacts due to such an integration. Location-allocation tool (maximize market share problem type) within the ArcGIS Network Analyst platform was utilized to model the scenarios and generate one-way travel times from the harvest site to final markets. Results from geospatial analysis showed that there were 89–159 and 64–136 suitable locations for the BCT for logistics model (LM) I and II, respectively. Total one-way travel time for all the models ranged between 1.0–1.7 h. Additionally, the annual numbers of BCT sites was inversely proportional to the total one-way travel time (i.e., harvest unit to market). Arranging CBRO and BCT operations to occur at the same in-woods site returned shorter total and average travel times than arranging the two activities at separate in-woods sites. The model developed for this study can be used by forest managers and entrepreneurs to identify sites for placing BCTs in the forest that minimizes transportation times.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document